OU regents approve enrollment deposit

High school seniors planning to attend the University of Oklahoma will have to put up a $250 deposit to secure enrollment under a plan approved today by the university's regents.

If also approved by the State Regents for Higher Education, the change would take effect in 2009 and would be a condition for summer and fall enrollment for students who've been accepted to OU as "direct-from-high-school freshmen."

Of the $250, $190 would be a deposit on housing or tuition, and $60 would be an enrollment fee. The $190 is refundable if the student withdraws admittance by May 1.

"It is an attempt for us to manage and be able to predict with greater accuracy the size of our freshman class," OU President David Boren said. "When we accept students, we have to guess ... how many will actually come to Oklahoma in the fall so we can make plans for housing and so-forth. This will help weed out those that are not serious,"

He said the plan also would enable OU to more quickly extend offers to students on waiting lists.